Chapter 1: Awakening.

Slowly I close my eyes, as I begin to relax, my mind drifts deep into my consciousness. I begin to feel as if my awareness is being taken from me, dissolving into a vast black void, leaving me feeling confused and disorientated. Panic briefly sets in, but then I sense my consciousness slowly returning to me. I find myself in a stuffy, dark, and cramped space that resembles an empty mudroom and I feel my body is limp as if I'm being caught in a sleep paralysis dream. 

*Muffled noises*

Suddenly, my consciousness feels as though it's being seized, and I can only perceive a growing white light spreading out in front of me.

A strange sensation washes over me, like whispers in my mind, but they're frustratingly indistinct. I attempt to speak, but no words escape my lips. I struggle to move, but it's as if I'm wrapped in something constraining and oddly comforting, which only intensifies my sense of disorientation. 

Something continues to whisper in my head. Questions race through my mind, why is it so muffled? What are they trying to say? Where am I? Why can't I open my eyes? What is this blinding light? Who or what is trying to communicate with me? Why does it sound like they are mumbling?

Desperation grows as I try to decipher the muffled voices and their cryptic message. I begin to try to focus my mind on the source of light but, I feel myself unable to see it clearly.

*Muffled noises* 

It feels like there's a compelling reason to focus on the light, but I can't quite grasp its significance. Is this the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel? Have I died? What is this voice I keep hearing, why does it feel like it is suffocating me? My thoughts scatter as memories of my past life flash through my mind. Have I really died? Is this a dream?

The last thing I remember is that I was in my room…I remember installing the newest video game. What was that game called again? I can't seem to remember it was at the edge of my mind just moments ago.

Then, the light becomes clearer and sharper, but still, I struggle to comprehend it. Amid my confusion, the muffled noises persist, taunting me with fragments of meaning.

I try to say something, and nothing comes out still.

WHAT'S HAPPENING??! WHAT IS THIS!!! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!!?

To my amazement the light begins to finally sharpen in front of my eyes turning into a wall of light. Refined and detailed, I'm amazed by the resolution of the thing.

I..I....I have a status board inside my mind!???? How is this possible?? Is this a trick of some god?

*Muffled noises* 

What is this noise that I keep hearing? Something like someone is trying to direct my attention to something important, but I just can't catch it all the way. My mind races, and I yearn for answers. Is the voice trying to tell me about the status board?

I begin to observe the status board more and try to decipher what it says.

Name: Gravitas

Level: 1

Might: 12

Toughness: 8

Cunning: 27

Will: 23

HP: 25/25

MP:0/0

Skills: Hyphae Generation Level 1(I); Spore Burst Level 1(I); Regenerative Growth level 1(I); Poison Resistance level 1(I); 

Mutations: 

Species: Infantile Glimmer Cap Mushroom Gatherer

Skill Points: 1

Biomass: 1

What! Did I reincarnate or something... what is a mushroom gatherer? Why does it say that I am some sort of fungal creature? Well at least I don't have to worry about remembering my name.

*Louder muffled noises*

As if thrown down a water slide, I begin to feel the entirety of my being slip fluidly into a new form. This form feels like something I can presume could only be the little people, which I have only heard tales of as a child; that would eventually match something out of a horror film. I feel my consciousness shifting into the new body, that of a small fairy sized mushroom: Cap, stem, hyphae, and all. The filaments of hyphae feel around as if lost or maybe even trying to look for something.

Ahhh! What's happening!? I have no legs or arms!! But for some reason It feels like I have tendrils for the lower half of my body now!

*muffled noises*

What is that muffled noise that is driving me nuts? Why is it so unclear what it says? Why is this happening? 

Suddenly, I feel a surge of energy and the muffled noise becomes louder and clearer. It's a voice! It's definitely saying something